Gov’t, Reds inching closer to resumption of peace talks

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Government and rebel negotiators are inching closer to resuming peace talks, the political arm of the communist rebel movement said yesterday.

In a statement, the National Democratic Front (NDF) said the two panels held "informal" negotiations in Oslo, Norway on Oct. 9-10 to pave the way for "formal" peace talks to be hosted by the Norwegian government.

The two panels agreed that peace talks be based on the 1992 The Hague Joint Declaration and nine other bilateral agreements — the March 9, 2003 Utrecht Joint Statement and the Oslo Communiqué of April 30, 2001, the statement added.

The NDF said the continued inclusion of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and Jose Ma. Sison in a "terrorist" list is an impediment to the peace negotiations.

Rebel negotiators urged the government and rebel NDF panels to immediately form a joint monitoring committee.

In response, the government panel chaired by Silvestre Bello III has expressed willingness to "address" the issue.

The government panel also promised to look into the cases of political prisoners who continue to be detained despite approval of their release by President Arroyo on just and meritorious grounds more than two years ago.

A periodic meeting with Karapatan and other human rights organizations working for the release of political prisoners was also proposed by the government.

The two panels agreed to meet for another round of informal talks in Oslo after a month.

The government panel is comprised of Bello and members Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, Secretary Teresita Deles, Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Undersecretary Abraham Purugganan, and panel executive Secretary Carla Munsayac-Vallarta.

The NDF delegation includes negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni, chief political consultant Sison and panel members Fidel Agcaoili, Consuelo Ledesma, Julieta Delima and Asterio Palima, general counsel ad litem Romeo Capulong, consultants and staff members.

The United States, the Netherlands, European Union, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia have included the CPP-NPA and Sison in the global list of "terrorist" organizations and individuals.